A few people have emailed asking if I was fired from my job, or if I was really laid off. I would like to set the record straight. I was working for my local paper in the IT Department as the Mapping Coordinator-which basically meant I sat at a PC all day plotting addresses, changing zip codes and creating street networks based on routes given to us by the Circulation Department. The software I used was not perfect by any means, in fact we seriously doubted the expertise of the folks who installed it to start with. Let’s put it this way, the database of addresses alone cost approximately $30,000 and 70% of the already geo-coded information was incorrect. In order to have the software serviced to our needs, (West Virginia addresses are some of the worst in the country), the paper would have to pay someone to come in from Maryland and completely re-do the software and the possibility of purchasing a more up-to-date database was great. Since the end of the year budget is in the works, they had no choice but to lay me off. I was being paid well, considering the job was easy, certainly not the most money I’ve ever made, but it paid the bills. I was told everything was in a “wait and see” mode until after the first of the year-which could be April for all I know.
Tonight, when I learned I had been chosen as a finalist in the Blog Battle Royale III at PayPerPost, for my post, Fresh Fit In West Virginia Means- Your Cottage Cheese Thighs Look Nice In Spandex., I was ecstatic. I actually won an Apple iPod Touch and a $50 gift card to Subway-I’m not sure which I’m more exited about-The Ipod Touch or the fact I won’t have to worry about dinner or lunch for a while. A few, including my own mother, have asked if I would sell the Ipod Touch- absolutely not. Just beign picked as a finalist has given me a huge confidence boost after being rejected in interview after interview and I am not about to part with it.
So, you see, the reason I do sponsored posts, paid links and other advertisements isn’t just for extra cash. What I do receive as payment helps me survive. When I was laid off I had just moved into a new place and it couldn’t have happened at a worse time. I take what I do as a paid writer, or offering bloggers and companies links for a small fee very seriously. I work hard and I take pride in what I do, even when others consider being paid for anything in regards to blogging as unethical.I have two interviews tomorrow and I’d like to thank PayPerPost for giving me that tiny boost of confidence going into both-I’ve been rejected so many times and tonight I feel as if I will nail both interviews and be offered a job. That would be the biggest win of them all.
Yes, I Was Laid Off From My Job- I Wasn’t Fired And I Won an iTouch!
Maybe If I Stick To Subway Sandwiches, I’ll Fit Into Sexy Lingerie.
The words sexy and lingerie do not even exist in my wardrobe vocabulary. Sure, I’ve bought lacy underwear a time or to, only to have them shrink after being washed. See the beautiful woman on the left? This is what I consider not only sexy lingerie, but classy as well. And, better still, that little number, (not the woman), comes in plus-sizes for us full-figure gals. Those of us with a few extra curves know all too well how difficult it can be to find lingerie to fit us.
I found the plus size cami set while browsing through dimout.com, an online store specializing in lingerie, costumes, jewelry and even shoes-anything and everything to spice up your love life, or to make you feel good about yourself. The store offers both plus-size and regular size lingerie and the prices are very reasonable. Take the cami I chose, as an example. In several well-known retail stores one would pay $50+ and in my experience, expensive does not always mean quality. The cami I love from dimout.com? The regular price $31.49, the current sale price $26.77. Oh, and don’t forget about the man in your life either. Dimout.com carries sexy underwear for men as well.
With Christmas coming up and you are looking for ideas for that someone special in your life, why not buy something both of you can enjoy? Would you purchase lingerie for someone? Let me know by commenting, on the reasons why you would, or would not.
$2 Per Link For One Week- And It’s Legit.
If you look to the right sidebar you’ll notice a widget “Are You In My TopSpots.” This is a new type of link-you do not have to be an advertiser to use it. For $2 paid via PayPal, you can add your link and a little blurb about your blog which will entice people to visit. The link will stay up for one week after which it will drop off. Why is this “Legal” per Google? Because the links use the “no-follow” tag. So although this will not help our page ranks, it won’t hurt them either. What it will do: Gain more traffic to your blog, (even after taking a month and a half off I’m receiving 1500 hits a week and the numbers are going back up), plus, it will help me out tremendously. The transaction is secure- I never seen any of your financial information since it’s processed through PayPal. For every person who purchases a one week link, I will write a blog post about your blog, complete with a link using the “do follow” we so dearly love. Come on, this laid off from work chick needs help!
Elbows Off The Table And Other Lessons For Children.
Remember when you were finally old enough to sit at the “big kid’s table” during holiday meals? Do you also remember the list of manners you were supposed to memorize in a 30 minute time frame at the age of 4 or 5? My favorite and the first rule of thumb I learned while eating at the table was, “Keep your elbows off the table.” When you’re a kid with short arms this can be a little difficult, but it’s one table manner I’m a stickler for to this day.
I found the cutest kids good manners placemats from a site called “GoodMannerPlaceMats.com”, that would be perfect for the little one who seems to forget what manners he, or she should be using while at the dinner table. To the left, is a picture and saying from one of the place mats offered. Below is additional information as well and I wish I had come up with this idea first!
Tired of poor table manners?
New Placemat series introduces kids to simple dinner etiquette.
Strafford, PA (October 30, 2007)
Does your daughter still choose to eat with her fingers rather than utensils? Wish your son would automatically wash his hands before each meal? The new Kids Good Manners Placemat Set teaches children simple table manners that even Judith Martin (aka Miss Manners) would be proud of.
The Kids Good Manners Placemat Set gently introduces children to proper table manners through colorful illustrations and friendly, yet didactic, phrases. Children will make fast friends with:
Danny, who asks to be excused when he is finished eating …
Katie the doll who uses utensils instead of her fingers …
Sammy Gator who washes his hands before dinner …
and Teddy The Birthday Bear who asks Mom to pass him his cake.
Each set includes these four easy to clean, heavy vinly, resuable placemats. The placemats are most appropriate for children between ages 3 – 6. Each set costs $9.95 plus shipping and handling. For for more information or to puchase, visit www.goodmannersplacemats.com.
The Kids Good Manners Placemat Set was developed by a Philadephia-area Mom and Entrepreneur.
